Welcome to the Department of Neurosurgery at Heidelberg University Hospital

Click on image for Curriculum Vitae (PDF)

At the Department of Neurosurgery, we offer the entire spectrum of micro-neurosurgical operations for diseases of the central and peripheral nervous system. Our dedication to medical research leads us to participate in clinical studies on the development of new therapies.

Our emphasis is on

complex surgery on the spine and spinal cord, e.g., for prolapsed discs and spinal stenoses, as well as stabilization with cages, plates, screws, and rods after injuries, and for degenerative diseases and tumors,

In four operating theaters with state-of-the-art equipment, we perform more than 3.000 operations annually. Our specialized, experienced operating team and cutting-edge technical equipment guarantee maximum safety and efficiency, even for the most difficult operations. We use the most up-to-date procedures such as computer-guided neuronavigation, stereotactic surgery, intraoperative magnetic resonance tomography, intra-operative computer tomography, intra-operative ultrasound, fluorescent tumor marking, and electrophysiological monitoring.

One of our technical features, which only a few neurosurgical hospitals can offer, is intra-operative magnetic resonance therapy. The images taken are integrated directly into operation planning by our advanced neuronavigation system, which allows us to check for the presence of residual tumor during the operation and simultaneously to guide neuronavigation precisely in order to ensure the greatest possible success of the treatment.

All of these methods ensure maximally effective, minimally invasive neurosurgery while sparing important brain and nerve functions.

Diagnostics and therapy are continually optimized and adapted to the latest medical standards in close interdisciplinary collaboration within the university hospital. We make treatment recommendations for patients with brain tumors in the interdisciplinary tumor conference of the National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) in Heidelberg as part of a team of neurosurgeons, neuro-oncologists, neuroradiologists, radio-oncologists, neuropathologists, and oncologists.

We treat about 9,000 patients per year on an outpatient basis and more than 3,200 patients in hospital, with an average stay of seven days.

Our department has 56 general care beds, 6 beds on an intermediate care unit (IMC), as well as 10 beds on the neurosurgical intensive care ward, which is also equipped with a modern multimodal cerebral monitoring system. The regular wards consist of patient-friendly double rooms with bath, radio, phone, and if desired, TV and Internet access.

We hope you have a good stay and get well soon!

Sincerely,

Professor Dr. Andreas Unterberg

Managing Director of the Department of Neurosurgery at Heidelberg University Hospital